Half-siblings?

[SarahMelisse]

How does everyone feel about breeding half-siblings? I have two beautiful half-siblings that I'd like to pair together and I just want to hear your thoughts on this close of line-breeding. They both have a nice body type and the best wool I have had yet (French angoras) so I think it maybe a beneficial match for my lines.

 

[MamaMandy]

I'd personally go for it if they're healthy fault free animals. Close line breeding will only bring out the very best or quickly expose any faults.

 

[skysthelimit]

The was an accidental brother sister breeding, and the kits are the best the breeder ever had. I've got the brother now, and will get the sister soon, and I plan to repeat the breeding if the kits look that great when they mature.

 

[tnelsonfla]

I don't have an issue with it. Sometimes when you are trying to stay small you'll run in to that issue.

 

[3mina]

I breed half sibs and sibs with no issues, it exposes what you've got in your herd quickly, good or bad

 

[-HRanchito]

DO IT! If the kits show unfavorable traits, do take note, of course. <3

 

[SarahMelisse]

I'm going to try it. If nothing good comes of the breeding it will just mean more rabbit stew for me! But I really think I have a chance of getting some great woolers out of these two.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would definitely try it. My herd started with two does and two bucks, but one buck died before I could breed him, so they all share the same buck in their pedigrees. I breed half siblings and full siblings all of the time, as well as mother-son, father-daughter, etc. I haven't had any "mutant" rabbits yet.

 

[3mina]

There's a thread here somewhere about the number of generations of full sib matings that can be done before problems arise. I think I remember the number as being in the tens of generations

 

[ZRabbits]

post63895.html?hilit=Inbreeding%20and%20Siblings#p63895

inbreeding-t3367.html?hilit=Inbreeding%20and%20Siblings

Did a search. Found these threads.

What I get out of these informative threads, is that you need to cull hard regarding health issues with siblings, but sibling breeding will enhance the trait you are looking for. Didn't find the generation numbers, but I think, from what I read, that generations afterwards from these sibling breeding could crop up. That's why you should cull hard.

Sounds like it's worth a try and see if you get a litter of good "woolies".

Karen